Fight or Flight

AVA

My life seems to play out like a movie as Alpha James waits for David’s response before he punishes me. I feel helpless, my body too frail to resist.

David observes me, his expression contemplative. My supposed mate stands by, allowing my father to grip my face without any reaction. He must think I’m too weak to be his mate.

My brother grins widely, taking pleasure in the unfolding drama, watching his feeble sister being made a spectacle of. Anger begins to bubble within me as the crowd either laughs, whispers, or smirks at my humiliation.

“Indeed, Alpha James. I choose her,” David declares, his words piercing Alpha Black like a sharp blade. He glares at my father, his arms folded across his muscular chest, his head held high.

“That’s impossible!” my brother protests, standing next to my father and Alpha Black. “You’re choosing a slave as your mate. She’s worthless!”

“Why should it matter who I choose as my mate?” David retorts. “Wouldn’t it be beneficial for the alpha’s family if she were taken away? I made my decision when I came back yesterday.

“You all must have noticed my scent on her. I claimed her last night.”

My brother looks at me with revulsion, and Alpha Black’s eyes darken completely.

“You’re willing to tarnish your reputation and status in the pack?” Crystal interjects, standing next to her mate behind my father. “You’re our lead Hunter and one of our strongest fighters, yet you want a weak slave as your mate?”

My father lets go of my face and I crumple to the floor. In an instant, he grabs my hair, lifting me up as if to display the consequences of being a nuisance.

“Alpha James,” David begins. “You asked if I wanted her. I’ve never acted against you or this pack. I simply want her to be the mother of my pups.

“You may not see her value, but I do. She takes care of everything in this pack—cooking, cleaning, farming, attending to everyone’s needs, and nurturing our pups with nothing but love.

“I claimed her to make it clear that I want her. She can despise me for the rest of her life for all I care—I know I would if I were in her shoes after last night. But I stand here, Alpha, declaring that I want this wolf as mine.”

His eyes start to glisten as he fights back tears.

“No! I can’t be anyone’s mate,” I protest, wrenching myself from my father’s grip.

The crowd murmurs nervously, fearful of my father’s reaction. As expected, he strikes me with full force, sending me sprawling to the ground. I taste blood in my mouth from the blow, but I manage to get back up.

I feel David’s hand slide behind me for support.

“I, Ava Blood, renounce the blood that binds me,” I declare coldly, leaving David aghast. “I am no longer the alpha’s daughter. I reject this pack as mine.” Alpha Black looks at me as if he wants to say something.

“Who do you think you are without my blood?” my father sneers. “If you do this, you’ll be exiled from this pack and become a rogue.”

I disregard my father and turn to face David.

“Head Hunter David, I can’t be your mate. I’m not capable of bearing children given my condition. Your lineage needs to remain strong, and I would only weaken it.” I manage a small smile and lower my head in respect.

I meet Alpha Black’s gaze defiantly, and step closer to him as everyone watches in shock.

I’ve never spoken out against an alpha, or anyone for that matter. But I’m done with this life. If it leads to my death, so be it. My life isn’t worth much anyway.

“Alpha Black, I don’t want to be your mate. I reject you. I won’t share a bed with you, I won’t bear your children. I, Ava Blood, reject Alpha Black as my destined mate for as long as I live.”

I stare him straight in the eyes. His men have encircled me in case I attack.

“Well, little wolf, you clearly don’t know me if you think I’d accept your rejection,” he retorts confidently, wiping the blood from my mouth with his hand.

“You may not accept it, but the bond will break,” I reply as he pulls me closer by my waist.

“Are you asking for a broken hand? Remove it!” I snap, my voice laced with a growl.

He laughs in response. “Try escaping ~now~.”

I scrutinize his face, searching for a weak spot.

Suddenly, he shifts his hand to the small of my back. Seizing the opportunity, I use my slight weight to knock him off balance and onto the ground. I pin his hand beneath him, almost snapping it.

His men rush to his aid, but my father just laughs.

“Hold back! No one is to harm her,” Alpha Black commands, his eyes twinkling mischievously as they meet mine. I let go of his hand and growl softly at him, baring my teeth. He remains beneath me, studying my face as if trying to decipher a complex puzzle.

“Why don’t you calm down and show your mate that you’re a wolf worth loving? Right now, you’re acting like a weak, used-up dog. You carry alpha blood, yet you let these low-ranking men take advantage of you.”

He strokes my back, grinning. “I’ll let this slide since you didn’t know who your mate was, but don’t repeat it.”

“Let’s get one thing straight. The Moon Goddess may have paired us, but I have no interest in a pathetic alpha who can be taken down by a small she-wolf—and whose beta is mated to a she-wolf I’d love to see dead.

“Go on with your life as if we’ve never met.” My voice rises. “I’ve felt you for years, sleeping with she-wolves every few nights. You didn’t care ~then~ about me being loving!”

He lies beneath me, his face twisted in anger, itching to hurt me like everyone else.

“How ~dare~ you disrespect the alpha like that!” my sister shrieks, grabbing my arm. But before she can slap me, I flip her onto her back and snarl at her, baring my teeth.

I pin her down and drive my knee into her thigh. A loud ~crack~ echoes. Hands wrap around me, pulling me off her.

“Enough!” I scream, as David pulls me into his chest. “I don’t care what blood runs in your veins. This pack has been nothing but a source of torment my entire life.

“Every day, you all hurl insults at me, and I endure it to avoid being killed. But I’m ~done~ being a weak wolf! The next person who dares to touch me will die!”

My alpha blood is proving useful, making the other wolves bow their heads at my authoritative tone.

“Calm down, Ava. You’re going to get yourself killed. Just breathe, no one will hurt you if you’re mine,” David murmurs, holding me close.

I look at him, the urge to kill him for what he did to me overwhelming—but I resist. I can sense his love for me. It’s twisted, but he wanted to claim me to protect me from harm.

He pulls my face to his and kisses me roughly. My hands are trapped against his stomach, preventing me from pushing him away. I inhale deeply, memorizing his scent.

A growl echoes through the halls. “Get your hands off my mate!”

David looks at me, his eyes filled with worry. He knows he’s no match for Alpha Black. He may be strong, but he’s not an alpha.

“As I said, I’m not your mate. For the first time in my life, I’m going to do what I want,” I say, my voice sweet but my smile twisted.

“Don’t come looking for me,” I whisper into David’s ear, ensuring only he hears me. He immediately understands and shakes his head.

I scan the room for the best escape route, my gaze landing on the kitchen to my right.

David kisses me again, holding me close as he slowly backs us away from the crowd. Panic fills the room as Alpha Black begins to shift, readying himself to attack.

I shove David away and make a run for it. David stays on the ground, holding everyone back to give me a chance to escape.

I leap through the window, shattering the glass, and roll onto the ground. The sounds of yelling and growling follow me, so I shift as quickly as I can. Alpha Black is hot on my heels.

He growls, trying to make me submit, but I don’t even glance back. I just start running, my legs carrying me as fast as they can, weaving left and right to dodge trees.

The pack isn’t far behind, and they’re gaining on me. I can tell David is doing his best to mislead them, but without getting himself killed.

Using my small size to my advantage, I hide and shift back, then climb a tree, making sure to keep my body concealed by the leaves.

I do my utmost to conceal my scent, and the lack of wind aids in my endeavor.

The pack races by, oblivious to my presence in the tree. I navigate the treetops with caution, ensuring I don’t tumble down, moving as silently as I can.

I traverse the forest, maintaining a high and hidden position as I observe their frantic search for me below.

When I finally leap past our boundaries, I glance back at what was meant to be my family and my mate. They’re looking around, growling in frustration.

~“Farewell, Red Claw,”~ I communicate through the mind-link, severing my ties and officially becoming a lone wolf. I disconnect the link before anyone can respond and continue my treetop journey.

Once I’ve put a safe distance between us, I lean against a tree trunk and contemplate my actions. I’m left with nothing, but the thrill of newfound freedom is exhilarating.

I’m not a rogue, as I wasn’t exiled. Not that it makes a difference.

~“Lyra, where are we headed?”~ I ponder, surveying my surroundings. It doesn’t seem to be a vast forest since I can hear the city’s hustle and bustle, the chatter of people, and the honking of cars.

~“From what I can sense, we’re moving toward neutral territory. I can feel the presence of humans and vampires. We must be ready to blend in with the city and live as humans for a while,”~ she advises, pacing restlessly.

As night falls, I descend from the tree in search of something to clothe myself with. I spot two people skinny-dipping in a small lake. I stealthily approach them, ensuring they remain unaware of my presence.

They begin to playfully splash each other, and I seize the opportunity to snatch their clothes and dart to a nearby bush.

My hair is a tangled mess from the day’s events, so I quickly braid it down both sides of my head. I slip into a blue lace dress adorned with tiny pink flowers.

The dress reeks of perfume and barely covers my chest. I dust off my feet and put on the stranger’s gold and tan gladiator sandals, which are two sizes too big.

Hearing a rustling sound from the woods behind me, I decide it’s time to leave. I can’t risk being caught off guard.

I leave the forest and follow a trail back to the city. There are a few people strolling on the trails, but no one seems to find my presence odd, which is the best outcome I could have hoped for.

Once in the city, I weave my way through the crowd, fleeing from everything familiar. I find myself standing in front of a club, music blaring, with a line of people waiting to get in.

I’m contemplating whether to go in when a young woman grabs my arm, her eyes begging me to follow her.

“Hey sis, sorry I’m late. Alec wouldn’t stop talking,” she says with a playful tone, her green eyes locked on mine.

Her curly black hair cascades from a high bun onto her lightly tanned face. She’s dotted with freckles and has full, rosy lips.

“It’s okay. You’re here now,” I respond, playing along. I force a smile onto my face, and she nods towards a man observing us.

“Let’s get you home before the boys start missing us.” She leads me away from the crowd.

We walk for a few minutes before she halts and turns to me, her face reflecting inner turmoil.

“I’m Mara. You’re not from around here, are you?” She shifts her weight nervously as she waits for my response.

“No, I just got here tonight. I don’t even know where ‘here’ is. All I know is it’s neutral territory…mostly.”

“You’re in Coral City,” Mara informs me. “It’s a small neutral area, but it’s under the surveillance of the Blood Moon Pack. The alpha owns most of the city and isn’t fond of rogues. You need to pass through this area quickly.”

“I’ll continue my journey at sunrise. I’ve been running for hours and just need a short break. But thank you for your help,” I say, a small smile playing on my lips.

“Where are you headed? I can help you get there. My brother runs a small bed and breakfast, and I can get you a room for the night, free of charge.” Mara looks away, her face expressionless. “I want to leave this place too.”

She locks eyes with me again. “That guy? He was after you. I saw him tailing you for a bit. Either someone from your home tracked you here, or he had his own plans.”

“I don’t recognize him from my pack lands. But I did feel like I was being watched while I was crossing the forest. And while I was getting dressed.”

I give a noncommittal shrug. “I’m not sure where I’m headed. I just want to reach a place where I can take care of myself and blend in.”

“Let’s find you somewhere to stay tonight,” she suggests. “But we need to talk about your plans in the morning.”

I watch her walk away, questioning whether I should trust this stranger. I don’t know her, she doesn’t know me, and I’m not even sure that man was following me. She could be setting a trap.

~“Ava, this isn’t safe. We should bolt before she turns around and sees us missing,”~ Lyra warns.

~“I was thinking the same thing. We’ve masked our scent, but we need to find a safe place for the night.”~ I can feel Lyra taking off.

I slip away quietly, hoping not to alert the girl to my escape.

But she realizes I’m not behind her within seconds. I can hear her calling out for me and I know she’s telling someone that I’ve disappeared.

I watch her from a hidden spot a few blocks away. Someone joins her, and they seem to be discussing where to look for me when I sense someone watching me.

I spin around to see a man, about five eleven, with dark blue hair, pale skin, and red eyes. The wind picks up, and I recognize him. Vampire.

He observes me with a curious but discreet gaze, careful not to alert the wolves.

He signals for me to follow him. I peek around the corner to see the two wolves still there, arguing, so I cautiously emerge from my hiding place, watching him for cues.

Once I reach him, he drapes his leather jacket over me and puts his arm around my shoulder, masking my scent. He remains silent as he guides me to a nearby apartment complex.

Without a word, he lets us into his apartment and heads to the kitchen. He pours me a glass of water and himself a cup of blood, setting them on the table.

He takes a seat across from me, his eyes scanning me, assessing my wounds.

He finally breaks the silence. “Those wolves are from the Blood Moon Pack. They hunt rogues. This might be neutral territory, but their alpha is notorious for tormenting rogues.”

He places his hand on mine. “I don’t know why you’re here, but you need to leave as soon as you’re healed.”

“I’m sorry for intruding,” I apologize. “I didn’t know where I was. I escaped my pack and ended up here, then made my way to the city because I knew it was neutral.”

I struggle to hold back tears as I consider the mess I’m in. “I should be healed soon…maybe a few days. Thank you.”

“Don’t worry about it. I followed you when I saw you leave with the wolf girl. Our kinds might not get along, but I could tell you were hurt, which means you’re either running or being hunted.

“I won’t ask you to relive it, but can you tell me where you’re from?” He takes a sip from his cup, his other hand still offering comfort.

“It’s okay, but it might be easier to just tell you my story. My name is Ava Blood, and I’m from the Red Claw Pack. I’m the third child of the alpha and luna. I’ve been abused by them and the pack my whole life, just for being born.

“I was punished for anything that went wrong. But today was the final straw. I met my fated mate, the alpha of Treetop, and he complained about something out of my control.

“The warrior wolves were training and came into the house, making it smell like wolf. He only complained because a wolf had touched me. I guess he was jealous, but he wanted me punished.”

He leans back in his chair, taking in everything I’ve just shared. I take a deep breath and continue.

“Either I had to fight and flee, be murdered by my own father, or be forcibly mated with someone I’d already rejected. The worst part? If my mate had taken even a moment to really see me, he would have noticed my pain.

“Even after a wolf confessed to forcing himself on me, my mate looked at me as if I deserved punishment. I was violated, and my mate thought I should be penalized for it.”

Tears stream down my cheeks. My heart is pounding and I’m struggling to breathe. The man rises and kneels before me, his hands cradling my face.

“I’m Abel Crest,” he tells me, brushing away my tears. “I’m a second in my coven. I promise, as long as you’re under my protection, no one will harm you.

“I can’t fathom how you’ve survived this long—I can’t begin to comprehend what you’ve been through—but you’re safe now. The Blood Moon Pack won’t be able to find you here.”

ABEL

My mind is a whirlwind as I look at this small, battered girl before me, her face hidden in her hands as she crumbles. I kneel before her, holding her, trying to offer comfort.

But how can I? Her own pack has abused their future luna. The scars on her hands and legs are a testament to that. Wolves usually have more respect for their own.

She can’t be much older than nineteen and she’s dangerously underweight for a wolf. Her cheeks and eyes are hollow, and her arms are so thin they look breakable.

She must have fought hard when she fled, given the dried blood on her mouth and the side of her head. Her body should have healed by now, but maybe her frailty is delaying the process.

“You’re safe here,” I manage to say. She shakes her head. I can’t blame her for her disbelief. She’s been through hell in the last day.

After an hour of sobbing, she finally quiets and falls asleep, curled up in an armchair.

Her beautiful red hair is falling out of its messy braids, so I gently brush it back and tie it into a ponytail, careful not to wake her. She needs to rest.

I watch her as she sleeps. She looks so delicate, as if she could shatter at the slightest touch. It’s heartbreaking to see someone in this state. I don’t think she realizes how she appears.

Her face is sprinkled with freckles across her nose, and her skin is unusually pale for a wolf. She’s unique—red hair, lavender eyes, fair skin.

I fetch a cloth and dampen it slightly. I fill a small bowl with water and bring some soap into the living room. She hasn’t stirred since she fell asleep.

I sit back down in front of her and gently clean the blood from her head, wiping it all away. I prick my finger and apply my blood to her wound to speed up the healing.

I bandage her head and start to clean the dried blood from her mouth and neck.

Once her face is clean, I start to wipe down her legs, removing the mud. I carefully remove her sandals and place them by the door, chuckling softly. They’re so large, she must have borrowed them.

After cleaning her up, I carry her to my room and lay her in my bed. I change her clothes, putting her in one of my shirts—it’s so large it’s like a dress on her.

She’s not wearing any undergarments, but I do my best to not look at her body. I don’t want to make her uncomfortable or afraid. I put a pair of my boxers on her, tying them at the side to fit her.

I put socks on her cold feet and gently cover her with my gray comforter. I watch as she smiles in her sleep and turns onto her side.

“Warm,” she murmurs in her sleep. Something we all take for granted, she finds extraordinary. I stay with her until she’s comfortable, then leave to call my leader.

I leave the bedroom door ajar so I can hear if Ava needs me, then head back to the living room and retrieve my phone from the drawer under the old TV. But before I can dial, I hear something outside the apartment.

I press my ear to the door and hear voices—it’s the two wolves from earlier, and they’ve picked up another rogue’s scent nearby. They sprint away down the alley.

My fingers dial my leader’s number, and after a few rings, he answers.

“Abel, what’s the matter? Shouldn’t you be asleep by now?” His voice is thick with sleep.

“Boss, I know you told me to just observe the wolves, not interfere. But I couldn’t stand by. She was hurt, and they were setting a trap. She wouldn’t have survived.” I keep my voice hushed, careful not to wake her.

“Once she’s recovered, send her away. We can’t risk being discovered,” he retorts.

“But Boss, she’s not healing. Her wolf is badly hurt, and she’s weak. She’s not strong enough for her wolf to heal her. I had to use my blood to treat her head wound. She’s just a small, young girl—”

My voice falters. My leader has never shown much sympathy for the wolves, but I can’t let her die for no reason.

“Why would you risk that?” he demands, his voice rising. “You’re putting everything on the line for a creature that will turn on you the moment she’s well.”

I inhale deeply, glancing back at the room, praying he’s mistaken. I know wolves despise vampires, but she doesn’t seem like that kind of wolf.

“Abel, I know you’re kind-hearted. If you believe she’s worth saving, I’ll trust your judgment. But once she’s well, she needs to come see us.”

With that, he ends the call. I tuck my phone away and stretch out on the couch, drifting off to sleep.